Pen point cleaner

ABSTRACT

A cleaner for the pen points of the so-called Rapidograph type fountain pens and which cleaner operates on the vacuum principle. A fountain pen of the character intended to be cleaned by the device of this invention includes a conical end member from which projects a tubular pen point. The cleaning device comprises a tubular body to one end of which is attached a receiver for ink drawn from pens that have been cleaned. An annular abutment ring is mounted in the body at the end remote from the ink receiver. A piston is slidable in the bore of the tubular body. The piston is hollow and carries a sealing ring at its end adjacent to the abutment. The piston is biased towards the abutment by an expansion coil spring in the body. The latter is provided with a vent adjacent to the end on which the ink receiver is mounted. A one-way check valve is associated with this vent. In operation the conical end member of a pen is inserted into the piston until it engages the sealing ring. Continued inward movement of the pen causes the piston to move against the bias of the spring and expels air through the vent. Upon release of pressure on the pen the spring moves the piston towards the abutment end. This creates a vacuum condition which draws ink from the pen. The flow of the ink results in the desired cleaning action.

United States Patent [191 Prochnow 1 Sept. 3, 1974 PEN POINT CLEANER George Dale Prochnow, 2930 N. 21 St. Pl., Phoenix, Ariz. 85016 [22] Filed: Mar. 21, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 343,426

[76] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl 15/341, 15/310, 15/344,

. 15/423, 141/65, 401/258 [51] Int. Cl A471 5/04, 843k 13/00 [58] Field of Search 15/304, 310, 311, 423,

Primary Examiner-Daniel Blum Attorney, Agent, or Firm-John A. Robertson v [57] ABSTRACT A cleaner for the pen points of the so-called Rapidograph type fountain pens and which cleaner operates on the vacuum principle. A fountain pen of the character intended to be cleaned by the device of this invention includes a conical end member from which projects a tubular pen point. The cleaning device comprises a tubular body to one end of which is attached a receiver for ink drawn from pens that have been cleaned. An annular abutment ring is mounted in the body at the end remote from the ink receiver. A piston is slidable in the bore of the tubular body. The piston is hollow and carries a sealing ring at its end adjacent to the abutment. The piston is biased towards the abutment by an expansion coil spring in the body. The latter is provided with a vent adjacent to the end on which the ink receiver is mounted. A one-way check valve is associated with this vent.

In operation the conical end member of a pen is inserted into the piston until it engages the sealing ring. Continued inward movement of the pen causes the piston to move against the bias of the spring and expels air through the vent. Upon release of pressure on the penthe spring moves the piston towards the abutment end. This creates a vacuum condition which draws ink from the pen. The flow of the ink results in the desired cleaning action.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 1 PEN POINT CLEANER The present invention relates to cleaners for the points of fountain pens of the type including a conical end member from which a tubular pen point projects and is concerned primarily with a cleaner which functrons on the vacuum principle.

BACKGROUND OF THE'INVENTION 1 Atthe present time, artists, commercialillustrators and draftsmen makewide use of a fountain pen for fine line work. These pens are of the so-called Rapidograph type and are identified by'the inclusion ofan end member that is generally conical although-the conical surface is somewhat concave. Projecting from this end member is a tubular pen point and, due to the fine work it is intended for, the bore of the pen point is quite small. I

This condition has presented difficulties to one start ing to use the pen because the bore often becomes clogged from dried ink which collects therein. The now prevailing practice, for artisans of the type noted is to shake the pen or strike it against-some object to start the flow of the ink. In many instances considerable time and effort is required to start the flow. I b I The presentinvention is founded on the concept of initiating the flow of ink through the pen point by a vacuum condition.

OBJECT S OF THE INVENTION 3. To provide, in a pen point cleaner of the character aforesaid, a hollow body and a spring biased piston reciprocal in the body to create thevacuum condition.

4. To provide, in a penpoint. cleaner of thekind described, an-ink receiver which accepts ink drawn from the pen asthe flow of ink is initiated.

5. To provide, in a pen pointcleaner of the type noted, a hollow body formed with a vent together with a one-way check valve that is associatedwith the vent to provide for the expulsion of airfrom the body when the piston is moved in one direction of the body with the valve closing the vent when the piston is moved in the opposite direction; and

6. To provide, in a pen point cleaner of thecharacter aforesaid, a tubular piston having a sealing ring at one end which is engaged by theconical member of a pen as the latter is inserted therein to create an airtight seal at that end of the piston.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages;

of the invention, such as arise in connection with carrying out the above ideas in a practical embodiment, will, in part, become apparent and, in part, be hereafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds. 1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objects are achieved by providing a pen pointcleaner comprising a hollow tubularibody that is open at both ends. An ink receiver is detachably secured to one end of the body and communicates with the interior thereof. Adjacent to this end the body is formed with a vent with which is associated a one-way check valve. An abutment ring is mounted in the body at its other end. A tubular piston is reciprocal in the body and is biased towards the abutment ring by an ex pansion coil spring interposedbetween the piston and a shoulder on the body at the end remote from the abutment ring. The end of the piston adjacent to the abutment ring carriesasealing ring that is engaged by the conical end member of a pen, the point of which is to be cleaned.

With the sealing ring so engaged inward pressure on the pen relative to the cleaner body forces the piston inwardly against the bias of the spring. This inward movement expels air through the vent. Upon relieving the pressure on the pen thespring moves the piston towards the abutment ring and as the vent is now closed a vacuum condition is created in the body and ink ,receiver. This causes ink to flow from the pen, through the tubular point and into the interior of the body from which .it passes to the ink receiver.

Fora full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to thefollowing description and accompanying drawing wherein: v

' FIG.v 1 is a perspective illustrating the elements of the subject-pen point cleaner in exploded relation.

FIG. 2 is a detailed section on an enlarged scale through the body and depicting the conical end memberof a pen tobe cleaned being taken on the plane of the Line.2-2 of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 is another detailed section on an enlarged scale through the body where the vent is located and showing the valve in opened position to permit the passage of airthrough the vent.

DESORIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughoutthe several views a hollow body is identified in its entirety by the reference character 10. While it may be of any material having the required properties of strength, rigidity and susceptibility of being fashioned into the re- .quired shape, plastic is indicated as the preferred material. Also, while-it may be of any cross section a circular configuration is preferred. Thus, body 10 has a cylindrical necklike portion 11 at one end which is comparatively thin. This portion merges in with a thicker portion 12 at the other end by the curved contour illustrated in FIGJZ.

.Body 10 is hollowor tubular with neck 11 defining an open end 13. Thickened portion 12 terminates in an inwardly extending annular shoulder l4-which defines ,an end opening l5.- Projecting axially outwardly from the exterior face of end portion 13 is a threaded nipple An ink receiver. 17 of cylindrical formation has an ex- .ternalbead 18 at one end. This end of receiver 17 is fitted over and about nipple l6 whereupon an internally threaded retaining ring. 19 is passed over receiver 17 and screwed onto nipple 16. Due to its engagement with bead 18 receiver 17 is secured in position on body 10 although it is removable therefrom. I

Neck 11 has a counterbore at 20 which is threaded. 'An abutment ring 21 is screwed into counterbore 20 and defines an opening 22. Extending from counterbore to shoulder 14 is a bore 23 which is preferably cylindrical. A tubular piston 24 is slidably received in bore 23 with a substantially airtight fit. Portion 24 presents a bore 25 which extends therethrough and at the end adjacent to ring 21 is formed with a seat in which is fitted a sealing ring 26. The latter is preferably an O ring and while it may be of any materials having the required properties for effecting an airtight seal with the conical end member of a pen, rubber is indicated as the preferred material.

An expansion coil spring 27 is interposed between piston 24 and shoulder 14. It biases piston 24 towards abutment ring 21.

Thickened body portion 12 is formed with a radial passage 28 which which constitutes an air vent. The inner end of passage 28 is formed as a valve seat which cooperates with a ball valve 29. The outer end of passage 28 is formed as a retainer for a light expansion coil spring 30. Ball 29 and spring 30 constitute a one-way check valve which'permits air to be exhausted from the interior of body 10 but prevents air from being admitted to the body through passage 28.

OPERATION While the manner in which the subject pen point cleaner operates is believed to be obvious from the illustrations of the drawing and description of parts set forth above, it is briefly described as follows:

A portion of a fountain pen of the type with which the present invention is concerned is depicted in FIG. 2. The pen is designated generally 31 and includes an end member 32 which is generally conical with the conical surface being slightly concave. Projecting from the smaller end of member 32 is a tubular pen point 33.

When a person is desirous of using pen 31 the flow of ink through pen point 33 is initiated by first grasping pen 31 and inserting point 33 and end member 32, through abutment 21 and into the adjacent end of piston 24 until conical end member 32 engages O ring 26. This establishes an airtight seal at that end of the piston 24 and body 10.

The user continues to apply pressure to pen 31 to move it further into body 10, that is towards the right as illustrated in FIG. 2. This inward movement of pen 3] causes piston 24 to move towards shoulder 14 against the bias of spring 27. As piston 24 is in airtight relation to bore 23 air in the body 10 is compressed and pressure is built up therein. This pressure unseats ball valve 29 against the influence of spring 30 whereupon a substantial quantity of air is vented from body 10 through passage 28.

Pressure on pen 31 is now relieved to permit spring 27 to move piston 24 towards ring 21, that is to the left as depicted in FIG. 2. Ball valve 29 is seated by spring,

30 to close vent passage 28. Thus, a vacuum condition is created in body 10 and ink receiver 17. The vacuum so created draws ink from pen 31 through pen point 33 and the flow of the ink cleans and clears the pen point.

In continued and repeated use of the cleaner, ink collects in receiver 17. The latter may be removed and emptied from time to time by unscrewing retaining ring 19 from nipple 16.

While a preferred specific embodiment is herein disclosed, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions, devices and mechanisms illustratedand described'b'ecause various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cleaner for the pen point of a fountain pen including a conical end member and a tubular pen point projecting from said end member,

a. a hollow body open at both ends and having a bore,

b. an ink receiver removably mounted on one end of said body and communicating with the interior thereof,

c. an abutment ring on the other end of said body,

(1. a tubular piston reciprocal in said bore and in substantially airtight relation with respect thereto,

e. a sealing ring mounted on the end of said piston that is adjacent to said abutment ring and engagable by said conical end member,

f. an expansion coil spring in said body between said piston and the end of the body on which said ink receiver is mounted, said spring biasing said piston towards said abutment ring,

g. an air vent on said body at the end on which said ink receiver is mounted, and

h. a one-way check valve in said vent, whereby when the conical end member of the pen engages said sealing ring an airtight seal is created and continued pressure on the pen moves the piston inwardly of the body against the bias of the spring and forces air out of said vent and the release of pressure on the pen permits the spring to move the piston in the opposite direction to create a vacuum condition in said body to cause ink to flow from the pen through the tubular pen point and thereby clean the pen point.

2. The pen point cleaner of claim 1 in which the bore in the body and piston are cylindrical.

3. The pen point cleaner of claim 1 in which the sealing ring is an O ring.

4. The pen point cleaner of claim 1 in which the oneway check valve comprises a ball and a spring.

5. The pen point cleaner of claim 1 in which there is an inwardly extending shoulder in the body at the end of which the ink receiver is mounted with the shoulder being engaged by the spring which biases the piston.

6. The pen point cleaner of claim 1 in which the ink receiver is a hollow cylinder having an external bead on one end with the body having a threaded nipple projecting therefrom and a retaining ring, screwed onto said nipple and engaging said bead. 

1. In a cleaner for the pen point of a fountain pen including a conical end member and a tubular pen point projecting from said end member, a. a hollow body open at both ends and having a bore, b. an ink receiver removably mounted on one end of said body and Communicating with the interior thereof, c. an abutment ring on the other end of said body, d. a tubular piston reciprocal in said bore and in substantially airtight relation with respect thereto, e. a sealing ring mounted on the end of said piston that is adjacent to said abutment ring and engagable by said conical end member, f. an expansion coil spring in said body between said piston and the end of the body on which said ink receiver is mounted, said spring biasing said piston towards said abutment ring, g. an air vent on said body at the end on which said ink receiver is mounted, and h. a one-way check valve in said vent, whereby when the conical end member of the pen engages said sealing ring an airtight seal is created and continued pressure on the pen moves the piston inwardly of the body against the bias of the spring and forces air out of said vent and the release of pressure on the pen permits the spring to move the piston in the opposite direction to create a vacuum condition in said body to cause ink to flow from the pen through the tubular pen point and thereby clean the pen point.
 2. The pen point cleaner of claim 1 in which the bore in the body and piston are cylindrical.
 3. The pen point cleaner of claim 1 in which the sealing ring is an O ring.
 4. The pen point cleaner of claim 1 in which the one-way check valve comprises a ball and a spring.
 5. The pen point cleaner of claim 1 in which there is an inwardly extending shoulder in the body at the end of which the ink receiver is mounted with the shoulder being engaged by the spring which biases the piston.
 6. The pen point cleaner of claim 1 in which the ink receiver is a hollow cylinder having an external bead on one end with the body having a threaded nipple projecting therefrom and a retaining ring, screwed onto said nipple and engaging said bead. 